Oh how I love me some public library. I just ordered a slew of audio books recommended by friends, as I have somehow been on this earth without ever having listened to one that didn’t also provide chimes that alert me when I need to turn the page. Side note - through the magic of scotch-taped tabs, the Rip Van Winkle audio-tape was the first sacrificial lamb to my homemade strawberry-shortcake-bedroom-slash-recording-studio - “take THAT, boring old white guy!” I was five. Cut me some slack.
Anyway, I figure if I’m interested in delving into the world of long-form audio narrative, which I am, I had better do some research on what works and what doesn’t. Take an aural peek, if you will. So a few months back I put out a request in hopes of discovering what single-narrator audio books most delighted my friends, based on the narrator’s read, not necessarily on the quality of the book in question. And the results were many:

Jim Dale’s readings of the Harry Potter series (this came highly recommended by many)

Just about anything written and read by David Sedaris or John Hodgman

Sarah Vowell’s Assassination Vacation

Lisette Lecat’s reading of The Double Comfort Safari Club

Tony Horwitz’ reading of his own novel, A Voyage Long and Strange

Patrick Tull’s readings of the Aubrey/Machurin series

Ralph Fiennes’ reading of Oscar and Lucinda

David Tennant’s readings of the Dr. Who series

First off, I’ve gotta admit I am shocked (shocked, I tell you!) by how many of my friends listen to audio books. Second, I was thrilled by the great response and look forward to taking a listen. Third, I am always looking for more inspiration - so if you have any favorites, please share them in the comments here or privately via my contact form.

And fourthly, ahhhh, the unfortunate fourthly: I can’t believe I call myself a voice-over artist and haven’t listened to an audiobook since I was a little dude. It’s embarrassing. That’s like saying I’m a doctor, but have never looked inside somebody’s ear - except for when I used to practice on my teddy bears. Guh.

Hello, Chosen Profession, meet Responsibility. Being a grown-up is hard.